Eye Conditions

Symptoms of the eye condition Glaucoma

In cases of chronic glaucoma, there are usually no noticeable symptoms because this eye condition develops very slowly. People don’t often realise their sight is being damaged because the first part of the eye to be affected is the outer field of vision (peripheral vision). Vision is lost from the outer rim of the eye, slowly working inwards towards the centre. Changes in vision are often linked to getting older, which is why it is so important to have your eyes checked regularly. You should have an eye test at least every two years, or more frequently if your optometrist (healthcare professional who tests sight) recommends it.
Find out more about Glaucoma through the NHS or alternatively get in touch with The Spectacle Shop opticians Barnsley for an eyetest.

Symptoms of the eye condition diabetic retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy doesn’t usually cause any noticeable symptoms until the eye condition has reached an advanced stage. If retinopathy is not identified and treated, it can lead to sudden blindness. This is why it’s very important to attend regular screening appointments if you have diabetes. Other symptoms of advanced retinopathy can include:

Symptoms of the eye condition cataracts

Cataracts develop over many years and problems may at first be unnoticeable. They often develop in both eyes, although each eye may be affected differently. Blurred, cloudy or misty vision, small spots or patches where your vision is less clear are generally associated with this eye condition. Cataracts may also affect your sight in the following ways:

• you may find it more difficult to see in dim or very bright light
• the glare from bright lights may be dazzling or uncomfortable to look at
• colours may look faded or less clear
• everything may have a yellow or brown tinge
• you may have double vision
• you may see a halo (a circle of light) around bright lights, such as car headlights or street lights
• if you wear glasses, you may find that they become less effective over time
• Cataracts are not painful and don’t make your eyes red or irritated.
Find out more about Cataracts through the NHS or alternatively get in touch with The Spectacle Shop opticians Barnsley for an eyetest.

Symptoms of the eye condition Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is not a painful eye condition. In fact, some people do not even realise there is a problem until their symptoms become more severe. The main symptom of macular degeneration is blurring of your central vision. In particular, it results in:

• loss of visual acuity – visual acuity is the ability to detect fine detail, for example when you read or drive
• loss of contrast sensitivity – contrast sensitivity is the ability to see less well-defined objects, such as faces, clearly against the background
• distortion of central vision – images, writing or faces can become distorted in the centre (this is most commonly associated with wet AMD)
Your peripheral vision (outer vision) is not affected. If you wear glasses, your central vision will still be blurred if you have macular degeneration. Both eyes tend to be affected by AMD eventually, although you may only notice problems in one eye to begin with.
Find out more about Macular Degeneration through the NHS or alternatively get in touch with The Spectacle Shop Barnsley for a free macular degeneration test.

Symptoms Of the eye condition retinal detachment

Most people will experience warning signs that indicate their retina is at risk of detaching before they lose their sight. These include:
• the sudden appearance of floaters – black dots, specks or streaks that float across your field of vision (usually only one eye is affected)
• a cobweb effect of lots of little floaters – others report a single large black floater that looks like a housefly
• sudden short flashes of light in the affected eye lasting no more than a second • blurring or distortion of your vision Without treatment, sight in the affected eye will start to deteriorate. Most people describe this as a shadow or “black curtain” spreading across their vision. Retinal detachment usually only occurs in one eye. If your eye is affected, there is an up to one in 10 chance that retinal detachment will happen in your other eye.
Find out more about Retinal Detachment through the NHS or alternatively get in touch with The Spectacle Shop opticians Barnsley for an eyetest.

Vitreous Detachment Symptoms

• Loss of vision (often at the side of your vision)
• A shower of floaters followed by a growing dark shadow In most cases, a vitreous detachment, also known as a posterior vitreous detachment, is not sight-threatening and requires no treatment.
Find out more about Vitreous detachment through the NHS or alternatively get in touch with The Spectacle Shop opticians Barnsley for an eyetest.